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I shall be easily understood when I speak of innate dispositions in contradistinction to innate ideas, by those who are at all conversant with metaphysics; but as this case excites peculiar interest, even among children, I may be excused for explaining.

We have no innate ideas of color, of distance, &c.: were we blind, we never could conceive the idea of color, nor understand how light and shade could give knowledge of distance. But we might have the innate disposition, or internal adaptation, which enables us to perceive color, and to judge of distance; and were the organ of sight suddenly to be restored to healthy action, we should gradually understand the natural language, so to call it, of light; and soon be able to judge of distance, by reason of our innate disposition or capacity.

So much for an intellectual perception. As an example of a moral perception, it may be supposed for instance, that we have no innate idea of God, but that we have an innate disposition, or adaptation, not only to recognize, but to adore Him; and when the idea of a God is presented, we embrace it, because we have that internal adaptation which enables us to do so.

If the idea of a God were innate, it would be universal and identical, and not the consequential effect of the exercise of causality; it would be impossible to present Him under different aspects: He would not be regarded as Jupiter -- Jehovah -- Brahma; we could not make different people clothe Him with different attributes, any more than we can make them consider two and two to make three, or five, or any thing but four.

But on the other hand, if we had no innate disposition, to receive the idea of a God, then could we never have conceived one, any more than we can conceive of time without a beginning; then would the most incontrovertible evidence to man, of God's existence have been wanting -- viz. the internal evidence of his own nature.

Now it does appear to me very evident from the phenomena manifested in Laura's case, that she has innate moral dispositions and tendencies, which, though developed subsequently (in the order of time) to her intellectual faculties, are not dependent upon them, nor are they manifested with a force proportionate to that of her intellect.

According to Locke's theory, the moral qualities and faculties of this child should be limited in proportion to the limitation of her senses; for he derives moral principles from intellectual dispositions, which alone he considers to be innate. He thinks moral principles must be proved, and can only be so by an exercised intellect.

Now the sensations of Laura are very limited; acute as is her touch, and constant as is her exercise of it, how vastly does she fall behind others of her age in the amount of sensations which she experiences; how limited is the range of her thought -- how infantile is she in the exercise of her intellect! But her moral qualities -- her moral sense, are remarkably acute; few children are so affectionate, or so scrupulously conscientious -- few are so sensible of their own rights, or regardful of the rights of others.

Can any one suppose, then, that without innate moral dispositions, such effects could have been produced solely by moral lessons; for even if they could have been given to her, would they not have been seed sown upon barren ground? Her moral sense, and her conscientiousness, seem not at all dependent upon any intellectual perception; they are not perceived, indeed, or understood -- they are felt; and she may feel them even more strongly than most adults.

These observations will furnish an answer to another question, which is frequently put concerning Laura; can she be taught the existence of God, her dependence upon, and her obligations to Him?

The answer may be inferred from what has gone before -- that, if there exists in her mind (and who can doubt that it does) the innate capacity for the perception of this great truth, it can probably be developed, and become an object of intellectual perception, and firm belief.

I trust, too, that she can be made to conceive of future existence, and to lean upon the hope of it, as an anchor to her soul in those hours, when sickness and approaching death shall arouse to fearful activity the instinctive love of life, which is possessed by her in common with all.

But to effect this -- to furnish her with a guide through life, and a support in death, much is to be done, and much is to be avoided!

None but those who hare seen her engaged in the task, and have witnessed the difficulty of teaching her the meaning of such words as remember, hope, forget, expect, will conceive the difficulties in her way; but they, too, have seen her unconquerable resolution, and her unquenchable thirst for knowledge; and they will not condemn as visionary such pleasing anticipations.

I hope that funds will be provided to enable me to procure some intellectual person, who will devote her whole time to Laura, and that I shall not lie obliged to depend so much upon those who have other duties. Hitherto, the plan of her education has been most faithfully seconded by the Teachers of the Institution, to whom great credit is due; especially to Miss Drew, whose unwearied patience, and ever-watchful kindness, are the more meritorious, that their value can never be conceived by their unfortunate object.